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Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews

TOMATOMETER

92%

Reviews Counted: 296

Fresh: 272

Rotten: 24

Average Rating: 8.2/10

Top Critics' Reviews

Fresh: The cool accomplishment of Skyfall, 23rd in the Broccoli franchise, is that it seems a necessary, rather than mandatory, addition to the year's popular culture. – Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine, Nov 9, 2012

Fresh: It's been a long time since I enjoyed a Bond movie so much. – Tom Charity, CNN.com, Jan 4, 2013

Fresh: "Skyfall" is a different kind of Bond movie, one that works just fine on its own terms, but a steady diet of this might kill the franchise. One "Skyfall" is enough. – Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle, Nov 8, 2012

Customer Reviews

BOND IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!

by
Broken Headphones

Sam Mendes' new film "Skyfall" - the twenty-third James Bond film and the one that marks the series' fiftieth anniversary - is spectacular, wonderful, daring, breathless, and simultaneously a celebration of the entire franchise while also, in its careful way, an ambitious push into new territory. Of all the Bond films starring Daniel Craig, this latest adventure is leaps and bounds better than the disappointing "Quantum of Solace" and either on par with or just slightly behind "Casino Royale" - which, in my mind, puts it right up there with the best of the best (including "Dr. No", "From Russia With Love", and of course "Goldfinger"). Boasting an exceptionally talented all-star cast, a breathtaking series of international backdrops, a tension-filled score by Thomas Newman, and some of the most brilliantly executed action sequences ever shot for any 007 flick, "Skyfall" is a marvel all its own.

The plot, which is simpler than the trailers make it seem but is also much more memorable and moving, focuses on the investigation of a deliberate attack on MI6 following a field assignment of Bond's that goes gravely wrong. When 007 soon discovers that the attack was part of a sinister plot by former MI6 operative Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) to humiliate, discredit, and kill his boss M (Judi Dench) as revenge against her for betraying him, our hero goes to great lengths to take down and destroy Silva, no matter how personal the cost.

What Mendes does so well with this film is that he takes all the nostalgic elements of Bond from the classic 007 features and incorporates them into the larger-than-life screenplay in a way that feels elegant, timeless, and even a bit sentimental at times. From the sight of Bond's sleek Aston Martin to the sound of Monty Norman's famous guitar theme, there are so many hidden references to previous 007 films scattered throughout this flick that you'll have to watch it more than once to catch them all. While typically in most action-thrillers, the story is almost always overshadowed by the fight and chase sequences that happen in between, none of that occurs here. In fact, I was genuinely surprised by how well I could consistently keep up with the narrative while also enjoying all the high-octane action happening on screen. Speaking of which, I couldn't look away from the movie even for a second, whether it was the epic opening motorcycle chase scene over the rooftops of a market in Istanbul, the seductive espionage sequence in a Shanghai building, or the thrillingly executed final showdown between Bond and Silva in a Scottish wasteland. This 007 flick literally takes you around the world so many times, it may eventually start to give you jet lag. But let's be honest. The heart of "Skyfall" isn't the high-flying action or the tension-filled plotting. It's the characters; more specifically, the actors who inhabit their surprisingly complex roles so well. Craig bounces right back into the shoes of 007, delivering his strongest performance in the series yet. For the first time, we finally learn more about Bond's secret past, giving us a better idea of what made him into the unstoppable agent he is today. His quietly tense conversations with M (played with superb conviction by the incomparable Judi Dench) are some of my favorite moments in this film, and his subtly intimate scenes with fellow field agent Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and seductive new Bond girl Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) are expertly crafted and beautifully sensual. But without a doubt, it's the maniacally unpredictable yet gracefully villainous performance of Bardem as Silva that easily steals the show, even from Bond at times. His creepy opening monologue where he walks down an empty hallway toward a tied-up Bond sets the stage for one of the greatest 007 villains ever created. He's both a psychological and physical threat to our hero in practically every way, making their final battle at the end of the film all the more intense and suspenseful. Not to mention it's also one of the most emotional finales to any Bond flick in recent memory.

Not only is "Skyfall" one of the best Bond films of all time, it's the best action-thriller of 2012, period. Packed to the brim with stylish visuals, beautiful international locales, gripping plot twists, unforgettable characters, classic 007 trademarks, and gorgeously grand music, this movie has everything you'd expect from a memorable Bond adventure, and then some. Does it have its flaws here and there? Sure. Not every scene is downright perfect (some of them run on much longer than they should), but luckily, they don't distract from the overall experience. At the end of the day, this is a great Bond flick, no matter how you approach it. Whether you've been a devoted fan of 007 since the beginning or are just now discovering the franchise for the very first time, this bravely ambitious action blockbuster is an absolute must-see!

Bond has done it again

by
Darkphoenix2011

I'd seen Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, but I was completely blown away by Skyfall. It is by far THE BEST BOND MOVIE YET!!!!

Let the Sky Fall!

by
Brad Thompson

As a lifelong fan of 007, I can say with clear confidence that "Skyfall" is one of the best entries in the whole franchise. Daniel Craig once again nails the role of James Bond, but this time, he's backed up by an unforgettable cast that includes Judi Dench as mysterious MI6 leader M, Naomie Harris as field agent Eve Moneypenny, Bérénice Marlohe as seductive new Bond girl Sévérine, and Javier Bardem as villainous mastermind Raoul Silva, who quickly proves to be one of the best 007 villains of all time. Not only is the acting in this flick phenomenal, but the action sequences really pack a punch as well. From a fast-paced motorcycle chase in Istanbul to a final standoff in Scotland, "Skyfall" literally goes all around the world and back again in an effort to deliver some of the most masterfully crafted thrills featured in any Bond movie to date. From beginning to end, I was on the very edge of my seat, holding my breath in anticipation to see how each scene would unfold. And man did it pay off. Everything from Thomas Newman's breathless score to the beautiful exotic visuals of Macau and Shanghai was simply brilliant, but perhaps the thing that most surprised me about this movie was its sheer dedication to nostalgia. Director Sam Mendes included several clever throwbacks to classic Bond films of yesteryear, from that instantly recognizable 007 theme to the sight of the iconic Aston Martin. These hidden references act as both a subtle and sentimental tribute to the true legacy of this series. Last but not least, there's the story, which kept me consistently involved and emotionally affected the whole time. This flick really delves into Bond's secret past in a way that no other previous movie in the saga has ever tried doing before. It all leads up to a tense, brutally emotional ending that'll leave you as speechless as it left me. At the end of the day, "Skyfall" is everything that a great action film should be: riveting and resplendent, sleek and surprising, and of course, impeccably entertaining. I honestly can't say that I disliked anything about "Skyfall." If you ask me, not only does it rank up there with the best of the best ("Dr. No," "From Russia With Love," "Goldfinger," etc.), but it clearly shows that the legacy of Bond is still going incredibly strong. Whether you're old or new to the saga, this action-packed adventure is a fun experience no one should miss out on.